Foundations of Physics and Spirituality
Speakers
List of Speakers
Prof. Marcelo Gleiser
Dartmouth College, USA
Prof. Manik Banik
Associate Professor,
S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, India
Dr. Dheeraj Dube
Assistant Professor,
IIT Mandi, India
Siddhartha Tiwari
Bhaktivedanta Institute, Bhubaneswar;
Alumnus, IIT Kharagpur, India
Vasudeva Rao
President, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata;
Alumnus, IIT Kanpur, India
Varun Agarwal
Director, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata;
Alumnus, IIT Kanpur, India
Dr. Roshan Tiwari
Research Scientist,
Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata;
Alumnus, IISER Kolkata
Yenugu Nikhil
Research Scholar, IISER Kolkata
and many more…
Prof. Marcelo Gleiser
Dartmouth College, USA
Prof. Marcelo Gleiser is the Appleton Professor of Natural Philosophy and a professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth College, where he is a leading figure in high-energy physics, cosmology, and astrobiology. A pioneer in the study of non-equilibrium quantum field theory, his technical research focuses on the dynamics of phase transitions in the early universe and the emergence of complex structures in nature. He is notably the co-discoverer of “oscillons”—localized, long-lived energy configurations that have profound implications for our understanding of field theories. His recent work applies information theory to measure complexity in physical systems, offering novel mathematical frameworks to investigate spontaneous symmetry breaking and the origins of life’s chirality on Earth.
In recognition of his ability to bridge rigorous scientific inquiry with profound existential questions, Professor Gleiser became the first Latin American to receive the Templeton Prize in 2019. His distinct “biocentric” philosophy is grounded in scientific realism; he argues that the extreme rarity of complex life in the universe, as evidenced by modern astrobiology, confers upon humanity a unique cosmic significance and moral responsibility. A Fellow of the American Physical Society, he is the author of technically grounded yet accessible works such as The Island of Knowledge, The Blind Spot, and The Dawn of a Mindful Universe. His work eloquently presents science not as a cold collection of facts, but as a deeply human “engagement with the mysterious,” creating a powerful dialogue between the sciences and spirituality for finding meaning in our exploration of the cosmos.
Prof. Manik Banik
Associate Professor, S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences
Dr. Manik Banik is an Associate Professor at the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, working in the Department of Physics of Complex Systems. He earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Physics from Jadavpur University, followed by a Ph.D. in Quantum Foundations from the Indian Statistical Institute, awarded by the University of Calcutta. He has previously served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Chennai; a DST-INSPIRE Faculty at SNBNCBS; and an Assistant Professor (Grade I) at IISER Thiruvananthapuram.
Dr. Banik’s research focuses on quantum information theory, quantum communication, foundations of quantum mechanics, causality in quantum systems, and emerging quantum technologies. He has received several recognitions, including the DST INSPIRE Faculty Award, SERB Start-up Research Grant, and the Chanakya Postdoctoral Fellowship. His work has been published in leading journals such as Physical Review Letters, PRX Quantum, and Physical Review A, contributing significantly to the understanding of fundamental and applied aspects of quantum theory.
Dr. Dheeraj Dube
Assistant Professor, IIT Mandi
Dr. Dheeraj Dube Prakashchand is a faculty member in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering at Indian Institute of Technology Mandi. His research lies at the intersection of materials science, mechanics, and molecular-scale modeling, with a strong emphasis on understanding material behavior using computational tools such as molecular dynamics simulations and density functional theory (DFT). His work spans both engineered materials and biomaterials, including biological and bio-inspired systems, where multiscale structure–property relationships play a critical role. In addition to fundamental research, he is actively involved in product design and translational engineering activities within the materials engineering domain, bridging scientific insight with practical application.
Dr. Prakashchand received his Ph.D. from Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, where his doctoral work focused on advanced theoretical and computational approaches to complex physical systems. He subsequently carried out postdoctoral research at University of California, San Diego and at Georgia State University, gaining extensive international research experience across disciplines spanning materials physics, biological systems, and computational modeling. His broader interests include interdisciplinary research that connects mechanics, materials, and biology, as well as the development of scientifically grounded frameworks for emerging engineering and technological challenges.
Siddhartha Tiwari
Bhaktivedanta Institute, Bhubaneswar;
Alumnus, IIT Kharagpur, India
Siddhartha Tiwari is an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, trained in materials science, with a sustained interest in the philosophical and ethical dimensions of scientific inquiry. For more than a decade, he has been closely associated with the Bhaktivedanta Institute, contributing to national-level dialogues on science, spirituality, and human values.
In parallel, he brings over fifteen years of cross-sector experience across academia, industry, and the corporate sector, working on science-based research, education, and institutional development. His work reflects a commitment to integrating intellectual rigor with inner discipline and integrity.
Vasudeva Rao
President, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
Shri Vasudeva Rao is the President of the Bhaktivedanta Institute and a leading voice in the dialogue between science and spirituality. He earned his M.Tech. in Computer Science from IIT Kanpur in 1998 and briefly worked as a software professional before choosing a life dedicated to exploring deeper questions about reality, knowledge, and consciousness.
Inspired by the vision of the late Dr. T. D. Singh (Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami), Founder Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, he devoted himself to building bridges between modern scientific thought and ancient spiritual wisdom. His scholarly interests span the foundations of mathematics, computer science, logic, and their philosophical implications for understanding the nature of reality, as well as their connections with classical Indian texts.
He serves as the Editor of the Institute’s annual journal Savijñānam – Scientific Exploration for a Spiritual Paradigm and travels widely in India and abroad, engaging with scientists, philosophers, and scholars at leading institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, ETH Zürich, Stanford, and MIT. Through lectures and dialogues on topics such as science and spirituality and the philosophy of logic, he continues to inspire a thoughtful and integrative vision of knowledge.
Varun Agarwal
Director, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata
Shri Varun Agarwal is the Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, and a devoted student of the science–spirituality interface. He graduated in Aerospace Engineering from IIT Kanpur in 1999, where he ranked first in his department and worked on advanced projects such as solar-powered aircraft.
Despite a promising technical career, he was driven by a deeper quest to understand the purpose of life and the nature of consciousness. This search led him to the guidance of the renowned scientist-saint Dr. T. D. Singh (Bhaktisvarupa Damodara Swami), under whom he immersed himself in the study of Vedantic philosophy and dedicated his life to serving humanity through the harmonious integration of scientific inquiry and spiritual wisdom.
As Director of the Bhaktivedanta Institute, he actively fosters dialogue between leading scientists, philosophers, and spiritual thinkers across the world. He regularly visits major academic centres, including Harvard, Princeton, ETH Zürich, Stanford, and MIT, and serves as Editor of the Institute’s journal Savijñānam. Through his lectures, interactions, and institutional leadership, he works to cultivate a culture where rigorous science and profound spirituality enrich one another in the search for truth.
Dr. Roshan Tiwari
Research Scientist, Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata; Alumnus, IISER Kolkata
Dr. Roshan Tiwari is a physicist driven by a lifelong curiosity about the deep nature of reality and consciousness. He currently works as a Research Scientist at the Bhaktivedanta Institute, Kolkata, where he explores how ideas from quantum physics and information theory may shed light on the mystery of conscious experience.
He completed his M.S. and Ph.D. in Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata in 2023, after earning his B.Sc. in Physics from Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, in 2014. During his doctoral studies, he worked across a wide range of topics—from spectroscopy and bio-inspired waveguides to microscopy, sensing, and optical trapping—publishing his work in leading international journals.
Beyond technical research, Dr. Tiwari is deeply interested in the philosophical and foundational questions: What is the role of information, observation, and agency in nature? How might the quantum description of the world connect with first-person conscious experience? At the Bhaktivedanta Institute, he is developing theoretical frameworks that bring together modern physics and insights from the Indian contemplative tradition. He carries out this work in close collaboration with Prof. Arun K. Pati, a leading quantum Information theorist and Director, Centre for Quantum Technology, KIIT, Bhubaneswar.
Yenugu Nikhil
Research Scholar, IISER Kolkata
Yenugu Nikhil is a fifth-year Research Scholar in the Department of Chemical Sciences at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata. He obtained his Integrated BS-MS degree in Chemistry with Physics minor from IISER-Kolkata in 2020. His research interests include Quantum Chemistry, Electronic Structure Theory and Molecular Reaction Dynamics. Apart from his academic studies, he has a keen interest in studies in the interface of foundations of science, science of mind and consciousness.